I Don't Give a Sh*t What You Think!: How I'm Learning To Be Unapologetic

I just finished watching the TLC documentary on Netflix, ‘TLC Forever’, which came out in 2023. Now, what I am trying to figure out is how did I miss this? To be fair, I don’t watch as much Netflix as I used to because I’m a busy mom and I’d rather sleep than watch TV, but can I just say, this documentary brought back a flood of memories from my preschool days straight through to high school. I was the biggest TLC fan and mimicked them to a tee. I even went to a high school dance with my best friend dressed like them. We rocked the low-ridding pants, big baggy t-shirts, high-top trainers, and thick multicoloured scrunchy socks. We even tried to attach condoms to our clothes but weren’t allowed. I was T-Boz and my girl was Chilli. We didn’t have a Left-Eye, but that didn’t stop us from showing up and showing out in style.

We also went to the CrazySexyCool concert at Canada’s Wonderland, hands down the best concert I’ve ever been to! I remember my friend and I lining up at Ticketmaster to snag middle-centre stage seats. We saved up our allowances and probably got some extra cash from our moms just to go to this concert. I tell ya, we were determined to be there. On the day of the concert, we spent the whole day riding roller coasters and indulging in funnel cakes, which is one of my favourite treats at Canada’s Wonderland. By evening, we headed to the Kingswood Music Theatre for the concert, and you’d think we’d be exhausted by then, but we were running on pure excitement.

When the band started playing the intro and those giant block letters T-L-C came up from the ground, we screamed like we were at a K-pop concert. Then, out of nowhere, T-Boz, Left Eye, and Chilli appeared, and we completely lost it. We sang every song word for word and danced our hearts out as if we were part of the group. It was an unforgettable experience.

As the documentary came to a close, T-Boz and Chill get ask a question from the interviewer about Left-Eye and what she would be like today if she were still alive. T-Boz responds by saying Left Eye would be like the female version of Kanye West because of her I-don’t-give-a-sh*t-what-people-think attitude. Then, with a moment of realisation, T-Boz says, “…that has to be a great feeling.” That comment really struck a chord with me. Imagine the freedom of not caring about what others think or say about you. It must be incredibly liberating for the mind, body, and soul.

If I just said what I needed to say and walked away with an I-don’t-give-a-sh*t-what-people-think attitude, maybe I would have saved myself a lot of headaches and cleared up many misconceptions with people. It’s crazy how in today’s world you can say the slightest thing and people will get very sensitive. They’ll either dislike what you’ve said or misinterpret it, and before you know it, you’re burning bridges with them. I think I’d still have many of the friends and family members I walked away from if I had just spoken my mind instead of letting them think whatever they wanted in fear of their reactions. I can’t always tell people what they want to hear, especially if I don’t agree with them. At the same time, if someone is disrespecting me, I shouldn’t hesitate to let them know how I feel. It’s important to be honest because if they don’t know, they won’t know and a minor issue can escalate into something out of control filled with animosity and resentment that potentially can ruin a once beautiful relationship. Often, these conflicts stem from simple miscommunications or misinterpretations by both parties, and when you look back at all the drama, hurtful words, and negative feelings that manifest, you realise that all of it was insignificant.

I remember growing up and watching interviews with Left Eye, many of which are featured in the documentary. Her realness, authenticity, tenacity, and sternness as an individual, group member, girlfriend, and celebrity were inspiring. She never hesitated or apologised for her words. You could see her confidence in the way she carried herself, always walking with her head up, chest out with a funky stride. She was truly living her life unapologetically.

I need that attitude and mindset in my life. Who cares what people think and say? I can’t let them stress me out, get on my nerves, or mess with my head. I just need to keep doing me, and if people can’t understand that, then, in the words of Martin Lawrence, “Step, and get the steppin’!” I’ve said what I said, and I’m not here to appease anyone with what they want to hear. Sometimes the truth may hurt, but it’s meant to heal, not harm. If you still can’t understand that and don’t like it, then we don’t need to be friends!

Just sayin!